Holly Redford-Jones’s ‘I Was Dancing in the Lesbian Bar’ is described as “a sonic love story to lesbian bars of a bygone era and a celebration of queer women of the past, present, and future.” It was an undulating journey through LGBTQ+ history, from the ’60s to the ’90s via the ’40s and back to the present day. Redford-Jones cleverly bookended her one-woman show by describing Chesterfield’s twisted spire – bent, in fact – a metaphor for acceptance and celebration of diversity.
There was a supportive, mellow vibe at the King’s Arms, and it was almost standing room only as the show began. This is a great venue with a performance space that can be intimate, intense, or magical depending on the night. Redford-Jones delivered her combination of music, song, and stand-up, a seasoned musician emerging into the world of comedy. Her adaptation of Dusty Springfield’s “Spooky” perfectly showcased her effortless musicality and soulful vocals.
From the title, I must admit I expected slightly more Vanilla-anecdotes than we got, and the show occasionally bordered on a scripted lecture rather than cabaret – but there were the makings of some very witty observational comedy, with an M&S Simply Food joke that caused my wife to snort with laughter. Holly was at her best when she engaged directly with the audience and built up a rapport, and as she becomes more comfortable and confident with her material, this will come naturally. In any case, the crowd certainly enjoyed her performance, joining in joyfully with the closing number, an ode to Ghostbusters with a message that can be applied to almost any situation: who you gonna call? Lesbians!
Pippa Hebborn-Gibson for Canal St Media
